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Without a McLaren P1, A Lap Around “The Green Hell” Could Cost You Your Life

The Nurnurgring is the most dangerous course in the world. It is often referred to as “The Green Hell”

Back in the early 1920s, automobiles were growing like rapid fire, and for the first time in history, everyone was behind the wheel. Almost instantly, there were drivers looking to push the limits through racing, and there was no place more invested in this scene than Germany.

In 1922, the German organization ADAC capitalized on the popularity of speeding automobiles and started one of the first sanctioned racing circuits, the Eifelrennen. During the first 5 years of this annual event, the Eifelrennen was held on public streets throughout the country, running through the towns of Wollersheim and Vlatim, as well as the beautiful Eifel Mountains. But, organizers soon agreed that these racing conditions were too dangerous. So,

They built the Nurburg-Ring, a racing track that was even MORE dangerous. In fact, it was and is the most dangerous track in the entire world. Completed in 1927, the Nurburg Ring is a 12.8 mile course that floats up and down through 1,000 feet worth of elevation, while winding through and around the Eifel Mountains and the medieval castle of Nurburg. Overall, it has 154 corners and the road’s average width is only 8 meters! Since its inception, this treacherous terrain has inspired fear and made cowards of most men, earning the nickname “The Green Hell.”

In a recent article appearing on Nurburgring.org.uk, we are told, “The Ring is an incredibly unforgiving place. With the exception of a handful of bends, there’s no run-off: if you fail to make a bend, you’re going to hit something hard. Worse, most of the bends and crests are blind, so the chances of one accident leading to a second one are also relatively high.” In fact, the course is so dangerous that estimates show that between 3 and 12 drivers die each year on the track.

For these reasons, “The Green Hell” has been out of the racing circuit for over 40 years. Organizers won’t touch it! Could you imagine the lawsuits? However, it still remains a hot spot for daredevils and driving extremists. Every year, drivers come to test the boundaries of possibility in an attempt to break course time records. Late last year, madman Chris Goodwin did just that.

For his lap through “The Green Hell”, Chris Goodwin drove a McLaren P1 and recorded a historic sub seven minute time! According to reports, he did this by averaging a mind numbing speed of 111 mph, officially clocking in at 6 min 59.17 seconds. In an interview with Autocar, driver Chris Goodwin said, “The track is like the rollercoaster from hell. However, the car feels balanced and poised throughout, and inspires you to push on with the levels of grip and all-around ability.”

To promote this historic event, Goodwin and McLaren P1 have even released a video of the ride.

2 thoughts on “Without a McLaren P1, A Lap Around “The Green Hell” Could Cost You Your Life”

Great find on the video.
It really shows how bumpy and rough the track is, a spine-jarring experience, even when driven in a GT street car at less than 160km/hr!
I can’t begin to imagine doing it in a true race car.
JBS